RASC News Agency: Health officials at Nimroz Provincial Hospital report that the bodies of nine men, all drug addicts, were recently brought to the hospital. According to a source, these individuals reportedly died from severe starvation. This news arrives amidst claims by the Taliban that they are supporting drug addicts by gathering them from the streets and providing treatment. However, reports from Nimroz suggest a starkly different reality.
A statement from the Taliban’s provincial police command in Nimroz disclosed that the bodies were recovered from a rehabilitation camp and various locations in the city of Zaranj and have been placed in the hospital morgue. The statement, issued on Tuesday, November 12, confirmed that the deceased included nine individuals in total, with the identities of seven verified, while two remain unidentified. According to the Taliban’s police command, initial investigations found no signs of foul play, and the bodies would be handed over to the respective families.
Though no official details were provided regarding the cause of death, a local source indicated that these men likely succumbed to extreme hunger. The source noted that they had been living in dire poverty, which likely contributed to their tragic deaths. Similar incidents have previously been reported in Nimroz, highlighting an ongoing crisis among drug addicts in the province.
While the Taliban asserts that they are providing care for those struggling with addiction, these fatalities cast serious doubt on the adequacy of such efforts. Since the Taliban’s return to power, poverty and unemployment have escalated dramatically, resulting in a rise in deaths from starvation and an alarming increase in suicides. Thousands of Afghanistanis have also fled the country, seeking a more stable life abroad.
